Shades of Sunshine

  Posted in The Wellness Den | June 14, 2025 Let’s be real: being a woman comes with a lot of hormonal ups and downs. Mood swings. Fatigue. Bloating. Brain fog. Anxiety. Sleep issues. And don’t even get me started on the perimenopause rollercoaster. Whether you’re in your 20s or late 40s (like me!), hormones influence everything —your energy, mood, digestion, skin, cycle, and emotional balance. But here’s something most women don’t hear enough: CBD can help. Not as a magic pill or miracle cure—but as a powerful tool that supports your body’s natural rhythms and helps bring balance when everything feels off. 💛 What Happens When Hormones Are Out of Whack? When estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, or thyroid hormones get thrown off, you may feel: Anxious or irritable Wired but tired Struggling with sleep or concentration Sluggish digestion or metabolism Cravings, mood dips, and PMS from another planet Sound familiar? Now enter: your Endocannabino...

Posted in The Wellness Den | June 12, 2025 After losing 50% of my hair’s density and volume, I knew I needed more than just hope. I needed a real plan , rooted in healing—not hype. The journey back has taken time, trial and error, and a lot of gentleness. But I’m finally seeing the results: thicker roots, less shedding, and a healthier scalp. If you’re dealing with hair loss or just trying to support stronger growth, this post is for you. Here’s what I use, how I use it, and why it works—without the overwhelm. ✨ My Hair Routine: A Simple, Healing Breakdown 🌿   1. Collagen Peptides (Green Compass) This is my #1 must-have . I take Green Compass collagen peptides daily to support hair growth from the inside out. It’s clean, bioavailable, and works alongside my supplements and oiling routine to boost scalp health, elasticity, and strand strength. If you’re not feeding your follicles from the inside, topical treatments can only do so much. 🧴   2. Shampoo Rota...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | June 10, 2025 We live in a world that celebrates the big wins—the weight loss milestones, the before-and-afters, the breakthrough moments. But what about the smaller ones? Choosing water instead of soda Getting out of bed when your mind says “stay down” Saying no when you used to say yes just to please others Catching a spiral before it takes you out for the day Taking your supplements, even when you didn’t “feel like it” These are the quiet wins —the ones that don’t always get a post or a cheer, but carry the most powerful ripple effect. Today, I want to celebrate those moments. Because they matter. A lot more than we give them credit for. 💛 What “Progress” Really Looks Like for Me It’s not always dramatic. It’s not always visible. But it’s real. It’s noticing my anxiety before it takes over—and grounding myself with CBD, breathwork, or a quick walk with the dogs. It’s meal prepping even when I’m tired, becaus...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | June 8, 2025 We all want our pets to live long, healthy, happy lives. But just like us, their bodies change with age, diet, lifestyle, and environment—and sometimes, even a balanced diet isn’t enough . That’s where supplements come in. Supplements aren’t just for senior pets or animals with health problems. They can help with prevention , boost overall wellness, and fill in the gaps before issues arise. Over the years, I’ve seen the difference that daily support can make in both dogs and cats—including my own crew. So today, I’m sharing some signs your pet might benefit from a little extra wellness support (and what to look for when choosing supplements). 🦷 1.   Bad Breath or Tartar Buildup If your pet’s breath could knock you over, it’s not just a grooming issue—it could be a sign of dental disease or plaque accumulation. 🪥 Try: Plaque Control Chews from PawTree — heart-shaped daily treats that help fight pla...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | June 6, 2025 Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough honest conversation: emotional eating. If you’ve ever reached for snacks when you were overwhelmed… Or found comfort in food after a long, hard day… Or used food to numb out instead of feel through… You’re not broken. You’re human. And I’m right there with you. Emotional eating has been part of my story for longer than I’d like to admit. But lately, I’ve been doing the deeper work—not to eliminate it, but to understand and heal it. Here’s what I’ve learned, what I’m unlearning, and what’s actually helping me rewrite this habit from the inside out. 💬 First, Let’s Be Honest: It’s Not About Willpower I used to think I just needed more “discipline.” But emotional eating isn’t about laziness or weakness. It’s about soothing . Food becomes a tool for comfort, control, and distraction when our nervous systems are overloaded and our emotions have nowhere to land....

Posted in The Wellness Den | June 4, 2025 Let’s be honest: motivation isn’t always there. It’s easy to feel inspired at the beginning of a journey—new goals, fresh energy, maybe even a brand-new planner or gym shoes. But what happens when that shiny motivation fades… and real life kicks in? You’re tired. You’re busy. You’re overwhelmed. You don’t feel like doing the thing. And yet—you still want results. You still want to grow. You still care about your goals. So what do you do when your drive disappears? Here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t need motivation. You need momentum. 💛 1. Return to Your   Why Remind yourself why you started. Not the surface-level “I want to lose weight” or “I want clearer skin.” The real why. “I want to feel strong enough to run with my kids.” “I want to wake up without anxiety dominating my morning.” “I want to trust myself to follow through.” Write it down. Speak it out loud. Let it ground you when the energy isn’t...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | June 2, 2025 Just like us, our pets thrive when they’re supported with daily wellness routines—not just food and walks, but real health tools that help them live longer, feel better, and move with ease. Over the years (and through a lot of trial and error), I’ve created a daily routine for my dogs and my senior cat that’s simple, effective, and full of clean, purposeful ingredients—thanks to PawTree . Whether you’re just starting your pet wellness journey or looking to fill in the gaps, I’m sharing exactly what I use daily and why it’s made such a difference for my crew. 🐶 My Dogs’ Daily Routine 🦷   Plaque Control Dental care without brushing? Yes please. This gentle powder helps break down tartar and freshen breath without stress. It’s part of my daily routine to prevent dental disease before it starts. 🐾 Tip: I sprinkle it right over their food—it’s tasteless and easy to use! 🦠   Gastro Pro Plus This is ...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 31, 2025 You know those items you reach for every single day without even thinking about it? The ones that make you feel more balanced, energized, calm, and cared for? That’s my wellness basket —a little collection of tools and products that support my body, mind, and mood in a really gentle (but powerful) way. And because I get so many DMs asking “What do you actually use daily?” — here’s a peek inside my real-life, no-fluff favorites that I truly swear by. ✨ My Daily Wellness Basket Must-Haves These are the tried-and-true products that have earned a permanent spot in my routine. They keep me grounded, supported, and feeling like me again—especially through stress, hormone swings, and busy days. 🍋   CBD Nano Jellies (Green Compass) My go-to for daily calm, focus, and emotional regulation. They help quiet the mental noise, take the edge off anxiety, and give me a clearer, more centered start to my day. I take one ...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 29, 2025 Let’s get real for a moment. Living with bipolar and anxiety isn’t a neatly packaged wellness story. It’s messy. It’s layered. It’s exhausting at times. But it’s also made me fiercely self-aware—and deeply committed to healing in a way that honors my whole self. I’ve spent years learning how to support my mental health— not just with prescriptions or appointments , but with everyday habits, tools, and choices that help me stay grounded and well. This isn’t about “fixing” myself. It’s about supporting my brain, body, and spirit with compassion. ✨ First: Let’s Drop the Shame Mental illness doesn’t make you weak. Taking meds doesn’t make you “less holistic.” And needing support doesn’t mean you’re broken. For me, bipolar and anxiety show up in different ways at different times—high energy followed by burnout, racing thoughts, mood swings, and deep overwhelm. But what’s helped most is building a lifestyle that buf...

Posted in The Wellness Den | May 27, 2025 100 days. That’s how long I’ve been using CBD consistently. And let me tell you—it has truly changed the way I feel in my body, mind, and spirit. When I first started this journey, I was hopeful… but skeptical. Could something natural actually help with stress, mood, sleep, and focus? Could it support me without numbing me out? I’ve tried a lot of things in my wellness journey—some helpful, some not. But after 100 days of CBD, I’m here to say: this is one thing I wish I’d started sooner. ✨ Why I Started Using CBD My stress levels were through the roof My sleep was inconsistent at best My mood felt like a rollercoaster And my nervous system never got a break I was burnt out, anxious, and overwhelmed—even when things seemed fine on the outside. I didn’t need a quick fix. I needed nervous system support. Enter: CBD. Specifically, Green Compass USDA Organic CBD , because sourcing and purity matter so much to ...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 25, 2025 Mornings used to feel like chaos. I’d wake up already behind, rushing through tasks, mentally spiraling before my feet even hit the floor. But over time—and through a lot of personal growth—I realized something big: 👉 How I start my morning shapes my entire day. And it wasn’t about overhauling my routine. It was about shifting my mindset . These 5 gentle morning mindset shifts changed everything for me—and they might help you find more calm, clarity, and control in your own day too. ☀️ 1. “I   get   to start fresh today.” Instead of waking up with dread or overwhelm, I remind myself: this is a new beginning. Not everything has to be fixed. Not everything has to be perfect. I just have to show up—gently and honestly. 💛 This simple shift helps me release yesterday’s stress and focus on today’s possibilities. ☕ 2. “Slower mornings are still productive.” I used to think if I wasn’t up at 5am crushi...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 23, 2025 Hair loss isn’t just about hair. It’s about confidence. It’s about identity. It’s about grief—and healing—and the stories we carry quietly. As women, we’re taught to tie so much of our worth to how we look. So when your hair starts thinning, falling out in clumps, or changing in texture… it can feel like your world is shifting underneath you. I know, because I’ve lived it. And today, I want to share what I wish more people knew—especially other women navigating this painful, personal, and often silent experience. 💛 1. Hair Loss Is More Common Than You Think You’re not alone—seriously. Millions of women experience hair thinning or loss due to stress, hormones, medications, autoimmune issues, nutrition, and even the products we trust most. But because we rarely talk about it, so many of us suffer in shame and silence. It’s time we normalize this conversation. Hair loss doesn’t make you less beautiful. It ...

Posted in The Wellness Den | May 21, 2025 Since January 21st, I’ve lost 41 pounds —and yes, I’m proud of that. But what I’m even more proud of? The strength I’ve found within that journey. For years, I thought weight loss would feel like hitting a goal. A number. A finish line. But now, I see that healing my relationship with my body isn’t about shrinking—it’s about listening. It’s about letting go of shame and stepping into strength. 🌿 What I Thought This Journey Would Be: ✅ Eat better ✅ Move more ✅ Lose the weight ✅ Feel amazing And while yes, I do feel more energized, lighter, and more confident in my skin—this journey is teaching me that it’s so much deeper than that. 💛 What This Journey is   Actually   Teaching Me: ✨ 1. My Body Isn’t My Enemy I used to feel like I had to “fight” my body into changing. Now? I’m working with it—nourishing it, resting it, celebrating it. This shift in mindset changed everything. ✨ 2. Progress Isn’t Just on...

  Posted in The Wellness Den | May 19, 2025 Healing in your 20s is all about “fixing.” Healing in your 40s? It’s about understanding . In my 20s, I thought healing meant solving every problem, proving I was strong, bouncing back fast, and never letting anyone see me struggle. Now, in my late 40s, healing looks a whole lot different. It’s softer. Slower. Wiser. Kinder. It’s less about forcing a glow-up—and more about coming home to myself . ✨ Healing in My 20s Looked Like: Pretending I was fine (even when I wasn’t) Numbing with distractions, overwork, or people-pleasing Trying to be “low-maintenance” at the expense of my needs Seeing rest as weakness Constantly chasing a version of “better” I wore burnout like a badge of honor. I didn’t set boundaries—I barely knew what they were. And when my body or heart gave out, I blamed myself. 🌿 Healing in My 40s Looks Like: Letting people see me—even in the messy moments Saying no without guilt Pri...